Combination clarinet and reed holder



Aug. 31, 1965 J. N. SUMRALL 3,203,298

COMBINATION CLARINET AND REED HOLDER Filed Jan. 15, 1964 14 m Ex U A 1- Z 21 26 26 I Q/Zi? /3l v v A 55 33 m A W *472 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. JOHN N. SUMRALL,JR

United States Patent 3,203,298 COMBINATION CLARINET AND REED HOLDER Eohn N. Snmrall, 512, 92 Prince *St., Rochester, NY. Filed Jan. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 337,884 14 Claims. (Cl. 84-453) This invention relates to an accessory tor musical instruments, and more particularly to a combination clarinet stand and reed holder.

Most orchestral clarinet players use two clarinets, an A and a 'B flat, interchangeably iior concert play. It is usual for the clarinetist to change instruments several times during the playing of a single composition, depending upon the changes in pitch demanded by the musical score. Each time such change takes place, the .clarinetist must place the discarded clarinet nearby so that it will be handy when next needed.

One tactor which somewhat complicates this exchange of clarinets is the fact that it is desirable to employ a single mouthpiece and to transfer it from one clarinet to the other at the time the clarinets are exchanged. The reason for this is that the reed, which is contained in the mouthpiece, iunctions more consistently after it has been moistened through use. By employing the same mouthpiece and reed for both clariuets, the musician is assured of a more consistent performance than would be the case if he were were to employ a separate reed and mouthpiece for each instrument.

Because the exchange of instruments, and the transfer of the mouthpiece, must be pertormed rapidly during the playing of a musical composition, it is customary fior the musician to provide himself with a stand or holder cfor supporting one clarinet in a convenient, nearby position, while the other clarinet is being used. The stands, which have heretofore been available, have, however, been bulky and cumbersome, and are diflicult to store and carry.

Clarinet players are beset by the further problem of storing both new and used reeds so that they will not become damaged when not in use. Particularly is this the case with used reeds, because they absorb moisture from the breath of the musician during the playing of the instrument, and there is a tendency for the reeds to warp as they dry out.

An object of this invention is to provide a clarinet stand or holder which is compact, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which may readily be stored, and which is designed to support, during the playing of a musical composition, a clarinet that at a particular time is not in use.

To this end, another object of the invention is to provide a novel clarinet case, and a clarinet stand, which is adapted to be mounted removably on the exterior of the clarinet carrying case.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clarinet stand of the character described which can readily be carried in the clarinet carrying case when not in use.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a combination clarinet stand and ireed holder, which will accomplish all of the objects set torth above and which in addition will substantially prevent warp-age of the reeds held therein.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view looking at the side of a clarinet carrying case having therein a pair of clarinets and a combination clarinet and reed holder made in 3,203,298 Patented Aug. 31, 1965 accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the case being cut away and part of one clarinet being shown in section to illustrate how the holder may be stored there- FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of this holder,

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view, on the same scale as FIG. 1, of a clarinet carrying case, the case being broken away in part to show a pair of the holders anchored in operative positions thereon, a clarinet being shown (fragmentarily supported on one of the holders;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view on the same scale as FIG. 2, and taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the carrying case cover and a modified form of holder mounted there on.

Referring now to the drawing by numerals of reference, and first to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, l1 denotes a clarinet case, similar to conventional clarinet carrying cases, and comprising a bottom section 12, and a top section 13 hingedly connected by hinges 14 to the bottom section. The case has -a conventional suitcase-type handle 16 for carrying it.

The bottom or body section 12 is titions 21, which divide the body section into at least three chambers 23, 24 and 25 (for carrying in conventional iaishion two disassembled clarinets C. In the carrying case the clarinets are seated in conventional [fashion For holding the clarinets during playing of a composition two flanged nuts 26, which have internally threaded bores that extend partway through the nuts, are fixedly secured in spaced, circular openings in the top section 13 of the case. These nuts are flush at their upper ends with the outer surface of section 13, and have their flanges 27 abutting the inside surface of this section.

The holders :for the clarinets are denoted at 31. Each holder '31 comprises a generally truncated conical portion 32, and an integral, generally cylindrical head or stem portion 33. Preferably the holders are made of Wood or a light-weight rigid plastic material. The peprovided with parripheral surface of the body portion 32 of each holder has three equi-angularly spaced grooves 34 therein, each of which extends from bottom to top of the body portion 32, and partway into the lower end (FIGS. 2 and 5) of the head portion 33. Each groove 34 is slightly greater in length, width and depth that the length, width and thickness, respectively, of a conventional clarinet reed 41; and at its upper end each groove 34 is joined by a shoulder with a shallow scallop 35 formed in the head pontion33.

Secured in each groove 34 is a flat, rectangular strip 36 of glass or non-absorbent plastic material, which is thinner than the groove 14.

The body portion 32 has a circular bore 38 (FIGS. 3 and 5) extending into it from its bottom face. Threaded at one end into each holder 31 above the bore 38 of the holder, and projecting at its opposite end below the bottom face of the holder is a stud 39 which is externally threaded at its lower end to be removably threaded selectively into either of the two nuts 26 that are fastened in the case.

Each of the three eq-ui-angularly spaced grooves 34 in each holder 31 is adapted to hold a conventional clarinet reed 41. The plane faces of the reeds are adapted to be held flat against the strips :36 when not in use by, for instance, an ordinary rubber band 43. Intermediate its ends the body portion 32 of each holder 31 is pror a vided with a circumferential groove 42 to accommodate the rubber band 43. The rubber bands hold the reeds 4d securely and removably against the fiat glass or plastic strips 36 of the holder.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 4, each holder 31 is shaped to fit removably and snugly into the bellshaped end of a clarinet C.

When the clarinetist is going to play in an orchestra, the instruments are removed from the case, the case is placed with its section 12 fiat on the floor with the section 13 of the ease up, as .shown in FIG. 4. The stud 39 of each of the holders 31 is then threaded into one of the nuts until the bottom faces of the holders are seated against the outside face of cover section 13. The clarinetist then selects one of his instruments for playing and places the bell-shaped end of his other clarinet over, that is, on top of one of the holders 31 to hold this other clarinet ready for use when it is needed.

When the musician wishes to exchange clarinets, he merely removes the mouthpiece from the clarinet that he has been using, positions the bell-shaped end of this clarinet over the empty holder 31 (the right hand holder in the case of FIG. 4), removes the other clarinet from the other holder (left hand holder in FIG. 4), and inserts into it the mouthpiece. The second clarinet is then ready for use, While the first-used clarinet is held ready for use again when the clarinetist needs to use it. 'By employing two holders 31 on case 11, the exchange of clarinets and mouthpiece can be made almost instantaneously. When the clarinets are through being used, the musician disassembles each and places them in their respective compartments in the carrying case 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The reed may be removed from the mouthpiece and secured by rubber band 43 on the holder 31. The fiat surface of glass or plastic strip 36 will hold the recently used, moist reed against warpage as it dries out. The holders can also carry extra, spare reeds. -In packing up, the holders 31 are inserted into the bell-shaped end-s of the disassembled clarinets C for compact storage in the compartments 23 and 24 of the case. As shown in FIG. 1, the free, threaded ends of studs 39 lie entirely within the bell-shaped ends of the disassembled clarinets, so that the studs 3? will not tend to rip the fabric lining which is found in most conventional cases. Thus during transportation the holders are out of the way and no extra space is required for transporting them.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that applicant has devised a compact, inexpensive and relatively simple means for eliminating two of the major problems encountered by most orchestral clarinetists. The portable case 11 with the holders 31 provide an inexpensive, ready-at-hand stand for holding clarinets during orchestral play, while at the same time the carrying case provides a ready means for storing the clarinet and holders during transportation without requiring any additional storage space. Moreover, the holders afford means for storing a plurality of reeds.

While the nuts 26 in the illustrated embodiment are flush with the outside of case section 13, it is to be understood that they could be designed to project slightly beyond the face. One such embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein a conventional case 11 is enclosed in a foul weather canvas cover having two separate layers 51 and 52 of canvas, which extend over the outside of the case cover or top section 13. Secured between the layers 51 and 52 is a rigid sheet 53 of masonite, or the like. Each of two flanged nuts 26 (only one of which is illustrated in the drawing) is secured in an opening in the sheet 53, with its flange 27' secured against the lower face of sheet 53, and with its internally threaded end projecting outwardly beyond the outer layer 52 of canvas. A holder 31', which is similar in configuration to holder 31, has in its lower end an externally threaded anchoring stud 39' which is adapted to be threaded removably into the threaded bore of one of the nuts 26" as shown in FIG. 6. Except 4 for the fact that the free end of stud 39' does not project from the base of the holder 31', the holders 31 and 31' are identical. Both the nuts 26 and 26 have dead-ended bores to prevent the entry of rain or dirt into the case 11 when the holders 31 or 31 are not in use.

While the invention has been described in connection with two specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbe fore set forth, and as fall with-in the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination,

'(a) a clarinet carrying case having compartments within it for holding two clarinets, and

(b) means secured to said case for supporting a clarinet on the case externally thereof.

2. In combination,

(a) a clarinet carrying case having compartments Within it for holding two clarinets, and

(b) means secured to said case for removably securing to the case two holders, each of which is adapted to support a clarinet on the case externally thereof.

3. The combination claimed in claim 2, where-in each holder is shaped to fit into the bell end of a clarinet to support the clarinet on the case externally thereof.

4. The combination comprising '(a) a clarinet carrying case having two sections hinged to one another,

(b) means for storing a pair of clarinets in said case,

(0) a clarinet support member which is larger at one end than at its other end, and which is adapted to be stored removaly in the bell-shaped end of a clarinet disposed in said case, and

(d) means for removably securing said one end of said member to the outside of said case so that said other end projects vertically, when said case rests on a horizontal surface, thereby to provide a vertical support over which the bell-shaped end of a clarinet may be removably positioned outside of said case.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the last-named means comprises (a) a nut secured to said case, and

('b) an externally threaded stud secured to and projecting from said one end of said member to be threaded removably int-o the bore of said nut.

6. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein .(a) said member at its larger end is of generally truncated conical configuration, and at its smaller end is of generally cylindrical configuration, and

(b) said member has in its conical portion at least one longitudinal groove for holding a clarinet reed.

7. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein (a) said groove has a depth slightly greater than the thickness of a clarinet reed, and

-('b) a strip of non-absorbent material is secured in said groove and has a plane, outer face again-st which a clarinet reed is adapted to be held releasably, when not in use.

8. The combination comprising (a) a case for carrying at least one clarinet, and having plane, parallel side surfaces when closed,

(b) a holder larger at one end than at its other end, and having a configuration complimentary to the internal surface of a clarinet at the bell-shaped end thereof, said holder being removably seatable in the bell-shaped end of a clarinet,

(c) means for removably securing said one end of said holder to one of said side surfaces of said case, whereby when the other of said side surfaces is placed on a horizontal surface, said other end of said holder will project verticaly upwardly from said one side surface to support a clarinet.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein (a) at least one groove is formed in the outer surface of said holder and extends intermediate the ends thereof, and

(b) said groove is of .a length and width sufiicient to accommodate therein at least one clarinet reed.

10. The combination as defined in claim 9, including (a) a strip secured to said holder in the bottom of said groove, and wherein '(b) said strip has a glazed, non-absorbent, plane face engageable by a clarinet reed, when the latter is mounted in said groove, thereby to deter warpage of said reed.

11. A combination clarinet and reed holder, comprising (a) a member having a truncated-conical body portion adapted at the smaller end thereof to project into the bell-shaped end of a clarinet,

(-b) said body portion having in its outside surface at least one longitudinal groove having a length, width and depth slightly greater than the length, width and thickness, respectively, of a clarinet reed,

(c) a strip of non-absorbent material secured in said groove and having a plane, glazed outer face against which a clarinet reed is adapted to be held releasably, and

((1) means on said body portion for releasably securing the larger end thereof against a horizontal support surface.

12. -A combination clarinet and reed holder as defined in claim 11, wherein said body portion has in its conical surface a further groove, which extends circumferentially about said body portion, and in which further groove a rubber band is adapted to be seated removably to hold a reed against said outer face of said strip.

13. A combination clarinet and reed holder as defined in claim 11, wherein said means comprises a stud secured in said larger end of said body portion coaxially thereof, and having a free, externally threaded end which is adapted to be threaded removably into said horizontal support surface.

14. A combination clarinet and reed holder, comprising (a) a member adapted to fit into the bell-shaped end of a clarinet, .and having a truncated-conical body portion, and a cylindrical head portion projecting from the smaller end of said body portion coaxially thereof,

(b) said body portion having in its conical surface a plurality of longitudinal grooves equi-angularly spaced from one another about the axis of said body portion, each of said grooves having a length, width and depth slightly greater than the length, width and thickness, respectively, of a clarinet reed,

(c) a strip of non-absorbent material secured in each of said grooves and having a plane outer face against which a clarinet reed is adapted to be held releasably, and

(d) a stud secured at one end in a recess in the larger end of said body portion coaxially thereof, and having an externally threaded portion at its opposite end projecting into said recess in spaced relation to the wall of said recess,

(e) said threaded portion of said stud being threadable into a horizontal support surface to support said member vertically in position to have the bell-shaped end of a clarinet inserted slidably thereover, thereby to support the clarinet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner. 

11. A COMBINATION CLARINET AND REED HOLDER, COMPRISING (A) A MEMBER HAVING A TRUNCATED-CONCIAL BODY PORTION ADAPTED AT THE SMALLER END THEREOF TO PROJECT INTO THE BELL-SHAPED END OF A CLARINET, (B) SAID BODY PORTION HAVING IN ITS OUTSIDE SURFACE AT LEAST ONE LONGITUDINAL GROOVE HAVING A LENGTH, WIDTH AND DEPTH SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THE LENGTH, WIDTH AND THICKNESS, RESPECTIVELY, OF A CLARINET REED, (C) A STRIP OF NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL SECURED IN SAID GROOVE AND HAVING A PLANE, GLAZED OUTER FACE AGAINST WHICH A CLARINET REED IS ADAPTED TO BE HELD RELEASABLY, AND (D) MEANS ON SAID BODY PORTION FOR RELEASABLY SECURING THE LARGER END THEREOF AGAINST A HORIZONAL SUPPORT SURFACE. 